SEDA news and events
THERE’S a 17th century English proverb that Goulburn Valley fruit grower Rocky Varapodio is all too familiar with.
“Walnuts and pears you plant for your heirs” speaks to the length of time it takes for these ancient crops to grow. But Mr Varapodio, who farms on 200ha in Ardmona, is hoping his newest pear trees will bear fruit in just four years.
The pear, apple and stone fruit grower is in the process of planting Australia’s first honey belle pear trees, a new smaller, robust, early pear variety also known as belle de jumet.
About 20,000 trees are going in the ground across 15ha, with fruit expected within three years.
Mr Varapodio is the only Australian grower with a licence to grow pan-Pacific fresh produce marketer Freshmax’s trademarked pear that’s already proved a hit in Asia and the US.
The third-generation farmer first came across the variety on a research trip to New Zealand four years ago.
“It’s a sweet pear with a nice crunch,” he said. “So I really like its characteristics in terms of its flavour profile, its texture and its sweetness and I think it’s well suited to our region.”
The honey nelle will be the first new pear variety to hit Australian shelves in years. Mr Varapodio is pinning his hopes on the variety to lift sales across the entire pear category.
The pears will be sold at Coles supermarkets from 2022.
Source: The Weekly Times
You may want to consider this product with a 7 day withholding for stone fruit for control of fruit flies and other pests. There is no residue limit set for this product for China which means the MRL for China is zero. This is not a recommendation to use this chemical you should seek professional advice from a suitably qualified person before using in your situation.
For further information, please see attached documents.
STONE fruit exports to China have soared 167 per cent since the China-Australia free trade agreement came into play two years ago.
New figures reveal that by the end of March this year, nectarine, peach and plum exports to China reached almost 5000 tonnes, up from about 1900 tonnes in the previous 12 months. - Read more of this Weekly Times article.
Australian fruit and vegetable exporters wanting to go global can now access advice on every step of the export journey in a single online guide.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Steven Ciobo, and the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, David Littleproud,today launched, ‘Fresh fruit and vegetable export requirements: A guide for Australian business’ a Turnbull Coalition Government initiative ensuring Australia’s horticulture producers have the necessary information to capitalise on the sizeable business opportunities on our doorstep.
HORTICULTURE growers may soon have access to 15 new chemicals to help control pests and diseases including botrytis on strawberries and fruit spot on pome fruits.
Last week the Federal Government announced $1.78 million would be spent facilitating access to chemicals not yet registered with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority that would help farmers keep on top of pests and weeds. Read more of this Weekly Times article.
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